Non-PRS Amp Woes

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I need a small amp for my new workout room. It's a good place to play late at night after the family has gone to bed. Until I can get something for myself, I've been using my daughter's Bad Cat 7.5 watt "Kitty Cat"; a custom amp based on the Alley Cat. It hasn't been played in a year or so but I plugged it in today and L_O_V_E_D the way my Black SE One with Starla and lipstick pups sounded through this little sucker.

But the good time did not last. :bawling: The dirty channel volume dropped to about 1/3 after about 5 minutes of playing. So... I swapped the two 12AX7's around hoping to isolate the problem and the amp didn't work without both in the circuit so I couldn't (with my limited understanding) isolate the dead tube. I jumped in the truck and boogied out to my local GC for a pair of new pre-amp tubes. After putting them in the amp (which was a pain because the chassis had to come out of the cab) I was back in business - for a whopping 2 minutes. This time the dirty channel died completely. ARGH. I guess it's not the preamp tubes.

It has two EL84 power tubes which I am about to order online. What else could it be, right? Before I head down that path, do any of you tube amp gurus have any thoughts regarding the problem besides power tubes?

Here's a gut shot, if that helps.

 

[veinbuster]

I don't even know where to go to test tubes any more. Beyond replacing tubes and a transformer, the last time I tried to fix an amp I ended up with a conversation piece, so have nothing to offer except:

Good luck.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Orange is making one now. It's something silly like $499 so I won't be getting one any time soon.

http://www.orangeamps.com/products/accessories/amplifier-management/vt1000/

 

[jfb]

Orange makes a valve tester called the VT1000. I would love to have one, but can't seem to justify the cash. They are reasonably priced I feel. It's just not often I need to test a valve.

Here's to somebody that knows more than I being able to assist. That amp sounds like a winner. I too am looking for a smaller tube rig. Maybe Experience will see me correcting the lack of one.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Here's my backup plan.

 

[andy474x]

I burned up a couple of resistors on a Tweaker head a couple of years ago, which became obvious when the amp stopped working, I opened her up and there were two crispy looking resistors inside. Thankfully, that and a few burned out tubes are my only amp woes to date. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but maybe that new Custom will cheer you up

 

[jfb]

I really like the Orange OR15 and Jim Root Terror. PRS Sweet 16+ is what I have my eye on, but I'm waiting until Experience to see what's released. That is if I don't spend all my money on a guitar. I'll undoubtedly need moral support.

 

[Russ]

I have a Marshall Studio 15 (among others ) that I can lend you.
Come and get it!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I have a Marshall Studio 15 (among others ) that I can lend you.
Come and get it!

My ninja. I'll call you shortly.

 

[Egads]

For a funky change, check out the Fender Excelsior. It's goofy and odd, but very cool.

Or just get an attenuator!

 

[CoreyT]

Hans, have you looked into the Yamaha THR series of small amps?
I picked up the 10X which is the metal one a month or so back.
It doubles as a stereo as you can plug your iPod/Smart Phone into it and play back MP3s from them.
So even if you are not using it to play guitar through, it makes an awesome stereo while working out.

The amp can get quite loud too, and it runs on AC or 8 AA batteries.
They go for around $300 or less.
I quite like the sound I am getting out of it for guitar.

 

[Boogie]

The big electrolytic cap (the horizontal one) attached to the bridge rectifier toward the bottom of the photo appears to have a melted section of the shrink wrap. That might be an indicator of something wrong?

 

[John Beef]

I have a Line 6 Pocket Pod that I play through with headphones in my office at work during my lunch breaks. It's not bad, certainly not the greatest thing in the world but if you want to play quietly, I couldn't recommend something like that more. I'll try to upload a clip I recorded.

 

[John Beef]

https://googledrive.com/host/0B5f1NmcOOiePXzc1Nk0wTS1XYU0/testmix2.mp3
This is a little diddy I did just as a test of Mixcraft 5, seeing how it worked, doing some drum and bass MIDI. The guitar is my Jazzmaster with Fralin noiseless P-90s running into my Pocket Pod.